Racing Club sporting director Diego Milito says he tried to keep hold of Lautaro Martinez this summer.

The striker left Racing for Milito's former club Inter Milan.

The youngster wanted to complete the Copa Libertadores with Racing, but the Beneamata insisted on having him for the whole season.

“It was very difficult, we tried until the last moment," Milito, himself an Inter legend, told La Nacion.

“It's logical that the buying club wanted to have the player right away and even more so in the case of Lautaro, who they bought to be a starter."